Getting a Job at 3M

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“I Want to Work at 3M”

Many early 3M employees, including William L. McKnight and Archibald G. Bush, had “business” training or high school training in “mechanic arts.”

When William Viervering was hired in 1916 to help insure quality control, he had some high school chemistry training. He went on to get a chemistry degree from the University of Minnesota after World War I.

Richard Carlton, the first 3M employee who was a University of Minnesota graduate, was hired in 1921 as a laboratory assistant. It was his opinion that a manufacturing organization couldn’t go very far without technically trained people. He rose through the ranks to become the company president, succeeding McKnight in 1949.

Richard Drew, an engineering school dropout, was hired in 1921 for the research lab. He went on to develop masking tape and cellophane tape.

The company recruited from the local high schools. It offered Employee-Employer-Education days and Get-Acquainted days to bring teachers and placement counselors to the Saint Paul Plant so they could see company operations and policies firsthand. Commercial and industrial arts teachers were encouraged to recommend students for specific jobs. Some students were hired for summer and part-time work and received course credit for their on-the-job training.

Colleges and universities were important sources of employees for laboratory and technical jobs. 3M recruiting teams made regular visits to campuses.

Because 3M encouraged internal promotions, it also instituted an apprenticeship training program in the machine shop in 1949. It allowed workers in the program to achieve craftsman status. 3M has continued a strong internal training program throughout the company.

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High School Students: Many early 3M employees had
“business” training or high school training
in “mechanic arts.” ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyWilliam Viervering: When William Viervering was hired in 1916 to help insure quality control, he had some high school chemistry training. He went on to get a chemistry degree from the University of Minnesota after the World War I. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyRichard Carlton: Richard Carlton, the first 3M employee who was a University of Minnesota graduate, was hired in 1921 as a laboratory assistant. He rose through the ranks to become the company president, succeeding McKnight in 1949. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyRichard Drew: Richard Drew, an engineering school dropout, was hired in 1921 for the research lab. He went on to develop masking tape and cellophane tape. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyYearbook Recruitment Ad: Career opportunity advertisement in yearbook from Harding High School in Saint Paul. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyHarding High School ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyCampus Recruitment: Colleges and universities were important sources of employees for laboratory and technical jobs. 3M recruiting teams made regular visits to campuses. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyApprenticeship Training : Arthur Rivard, electrical leadman (left), watches Orville Meyers, electrical draftsman (center), instruct Alvin Seifert, electrician's apprentice (right), in the use of this piece of electrical equipment, one phase of his apprenticeship training. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyGeorge Johnson Operating Lamination Press: Lamination press opperator George Johnson was a 3M Factory Training Harding High School Center graduate. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society